monk

Where does the word "monk" come from? It comes from Greek monakhos, passing through Old English before entering English (1200s).

Monk’s story begins in Greek: monakhos meant “solitary.” Greek, from 'monos', alone. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old English as munuc. Came via Late Latin 'monachus'. It reached English by 1200s as monk. 'monastery' shares the root. Today, monk means a member of a religious community of men.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient monakhos "solitary", Greek, from 'monos', alone.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · medieval munuc "monk", came via Late Latin 'monachus'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s monk "monk", 'monastery' shares the root.